The death toll in the blast at a chemical factory in Anakapalle in Andhra Pradesh has risen to 15, news agency PTI reported citing local officials. According to the report, District Collector Vijaya Krishnan said the fire broke out at Escintia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd in Achutapuram in Anakapalle district at 2:15 pm.

The collector said, 'The factory operates in two shifts with 381 employees. The blast occurred during lunch time. Therefore, the attendance of employees was less.' The district collector has suspected that the blast could be due to an electrical problem.

more than 30 injured

Meanwhile, at least 33 people are reported to be injured due to the explosion, who have been shifted to various hospitals in Anakapalli and Achuthapuram. Six fire tenders of the fire department have been deployed at the spot for rescue operations.

CM expressed grief

The district collector told the agency that 13 people trapped in the unit were rescued. State Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the incident and expressed condolences to the deceased. An official press release said that the CM assured that the government will stand with the families of the deceased workers.